Did you know that many of the weeds we try to eliminate from our yards are actually highly beneficial herbs? One example is the dandelion.
The humble, and often despised, dandelion has protein, carbohydrates, and fiber in small quantities. More importantly, it has significant quantities of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Dandelions are good for our bones, muscles, immune system, skin, digestion, pancreas, gall bladder, circulation, blood, and liver. There are several ways to eat your dandelions, but before you go out in your yard to pick them, there are a few precautions to consider. First, if you use chemicals in your yard, those chemicals will get into the dandelions. That's something you don't want to consume. Second, there are four other plants that look like a dandelion. They are commonly referred to as 'False Dandelion'. While some of my resources say they can't be eaten, I've found some that say they can. Until I do more research on this, I won't recommend eating them. Third, if you take blood sugar medicine, dandelion can lower blood glucose. Fourth, dandelion has inulin, a rare fiber that is an allergen for some people. Apples are high in antioxidant micronutrient compounds called Polyphenols.
Polyphenols are prebiotic which means they balance the bacteria in the digestive tract. They also reduce glucose absorption in the gut so they help prevent and reduce the progression of diseases like diabetes. The old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is a great deal more accurate than many people realize! You may have heard of Vitamin C supplements that are made with Rose Hips, but did you know that Rose Hips can also help balance both glucose and insulin levels in the blood? By doing this, Rose Hips may potentially help people with diabetes avoid sudden, major swings in blood sugar levels.
Menthol can be found in mint plants like wild mint (Mentha arvensis), peppermint or corn mint, European Pennyroyal, Sunflowers, Spearmint, and many other plants to varying degrees. Menthol can also be made synthetically.
Turmeric may be able to help prevent, and treat, Alzheimer's Disease. Small studies have shown some promising results, but they are too small to count as undeniable evidence. More, and larger, studies are needed.
You can read more about it here: https://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i31/Tumeric-Derived-Compound-Curcumin-Treat.html https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(08)70169-8/fulltext https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/is-turmeric-effective-only-when-combined-with-black-pepper/turmeric_black_pepper/ https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/curcumin Did you know, there are about 600 species of Helichrysum?
I know of 6 that are used in making essential oils - and these oils have differences in their chemical constituents and therapeutic properties. The flowers can also be infused into oil for topical application or in water to make tea. From the bark of the Cinchona tree (pronounced Quina-Quina tree), we get Quinine which is used to treat Malaria.
You can read more on these sites: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071505/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121651/ https://bigpictureeducation.com/plants-changed-world-cinchona Pacific and European Yew Trees provide Taxanes which are used in the treatment of breast and ovarian cancers.
You can learn more here: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/how-bark-from-the-pacific-yew-tree-improved-the-treatment-of-breast-cancer/11084729.article https://elynjacobs.com/2012/01/15/natural-alternatives-to-tamoxifen/ Foxglove (digitalis purpurea) is a plant that is toxic to us. Secondary glycosides from this plant are extracted and used to make Digitalis, a drug for the heart. Do not try to make or use this herb by yourself. Even a small error in dosage could be fatal.
You can read more on these sites: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071505/ http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2001/gerrard/digoxin.html https://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/vchemlib/mim/bristol/digitalis/digitalis_text.htm https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01496395.2013.864679 The main chemical constituent in Wintergreen, Willow, and Birch, methyl salicylate, is the precursor to aspirin? If you are allergic to aspirin, you should avoid methyl salicylate, and methyl salicylate should not be used with children because of the potential of Reye's Syndrome.
References: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/infographics/a-history-of-aspirin/20066661.article?firstPass=false https://www.sharecare.com/health/aspirin/how-was-aspirin-developed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1119266/ |
DisclaimerThe information contained in this blog is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Archives
February 2021
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